Ayala Now May to June 2008 Edition 7/17/2008

Higher, Stronger,
Swifter
pages 8 to 11
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
Integreon acquires
Datum Legal, tops
Black Book list
of KPOs
page 3
Montinola is
new BAP
president
Avida donates
land to Lipa
Archdiocese
page 4
page 14
Manila Water to manage Boracay Water
and Sewerage System
Department of Tourism secretary and concurrent PTA general
manager Joseph Ace Durano recently signed the contract for
management services with Manila Water to help address the
growing environmental problems of the island resort, particularly
with regard to water supply and wastewater treatment.
“We are confident that Manila Water can bring to the island its
expertise on water and wastewater management as it has done in
Metro Manila’s east area,” said Durano.
Tourism secretary and PTA general manager Joseph Ace Durano (left) shakes
the hand of Manila Water president Antonino Aquino after announcing the
PTA– Manila Water partnership in managing and improving Boracay Water and
Sewerage System
Manila Water Company recently announced that it has been tapped
by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to devise, implement, and
monitor management plans that will improve the operations of the
Boracay Water and Sewerage System (BWSS). With the growing influx
of tourists to Boracay, the island has to cope with the demand for
increased water supply as well as wastewater treatment. Sewage
overflow and flooding have also become more pronounced on the
island in recent months.
Boracay currently gets its water supply from Nabaoy River in Caticlan
from where it is conveyed to the island by submarine pipe. BWSS
operates a water-treatment plant in Caticlan and a sewage-treatment
plant on the island. However, while Boracay generates billions of
pesos for the economy and as more tourists flock to the island, it has
to immediately address growing environmental concerns if it is to
retain its stature as the country’s most popular island resort.
“As wastewater disposal and treatment have become a major
concern, we would like to further help the government’s programs
on environmental protection by doing what we can to help preserve
Boracay as one of the country’s major tourist destinations,” said
Manila Water president Antonino Aquino. “This partnership also
provides us the opportunity to support the government’s efforts in
making tourism an important vehicle for economic development.”
Ayala Corporation 1Q net income reaches
P2.6B, gains-adjusted earnings up 11%
Ayala Corporation posted a net income of P2.6 billion in
the first quarter of 2008. Excluding the earnings made
from the sale of shares in the same period last year, this
represents an 11 percent rise in net income year-on-year.
Growth was sustained across all key businesses. Revenues from
residential development rose by 19 percent with higher sales across
all brands. Ayala Land Premier, Community Innovations, and Avida
posted nine percent, 25 percent, and 37 percent revenue growth,
“The past couple of years presented unique opportunities to
realize values from investments we have made in prior years,” said
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala president and chief operating officer.
“Conditions for value realization are limited this year given a more
challenging operating environment. We believe, however, that
current conditions may present opportunities for value creation and
we continue to be on the lookout for value propositions that may
arise from the fallout in global and domestic markets.”
Ayala companies
collect honors
from FinanceAsia
and Corporate
Governance Asia
Ayala Corporation is the Philippines’
best-managed company, according to
FinanceAsia, a regional magazine on
Asian financial markets.
In its eighth annual poll of Asia’s top companies,
FinanceAsia also cited Ayala as best in corporate
governance and third best in investor relations
and strong dividend policy among blue-chip
Philippine companies. One hundred sixty-seven
institutional investors and equity analysts from
the region participated in the polls.
Globe chief finance officer Delfin Gonzalez Jr.
was once again named best CFO, followed by
Ayala treasurer Ramon Opulencia. Gonzalez has
received the award a total of five times since 2002.
Listed Ayala companies also figured
prominently in all categories. Globe Telecom
ranked second among the best-managed
companies in the country, while Ayala Land
Inc. (ALI) and Manila Water shared seventh
place. Globe, ALI, and the Bank of the Philippine
Islands (BPI) also ranked high in the corporate
governance, investor relations, and strongdividend-policy categories.
Manila Water was named second best company
with midsize capitalization, while Cebu Property
Ventures and Development Corporation, a unit
of Cebu Holdings Inc., ranked second in the
small-capitalization category. Other companies
cited in the FinanceAsia survey include SM
Investments, PLDT, Megaworld, Jollibee Foods,
San Miguel, and Meralco.
Ayala’s strong performance in the FinanceAsia
poll comes on the heels of the Wall Street
Journal Asia’s Most Admired Companies list, in
which the conglomerate ranked first in longterm vision and corporate reputation, and
third in the list of most-admired companies in
the Philippines.
Strong earnings from its property, telecom, water distribution,
electronics, and automotive units were partly offset by lower
earnings from its banking and business-process-outsourcing
investments, resulting in a seven percent decline in equity earnings.
This was partly cushioned by lower cost and expenses as parentcompany interest and financing charges declined by 31 percent.
Property subsidiary Ayala Land posted a 42 percent growth in net
income to P1.8 billion as consolidated revenues grew by 28 percent.
Meanwhile, the 2008 Corporate Governance Asia
awards once again recognized Ayala, Globe, and
Manila Water as among Asia’s best in the area of
good governance.
Continued on p. 2 >
Continued on p. 3 >
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
News
MWC’s water-system-loss strategy attracts international attention
Manila Water Company’s expertise in reducing water-system losses was featured in the recent Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Management Training
Course organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank Institute, South Asian Water Utilities Network (SAWUN), and Southeast Asian
Water Utilities Network (SEAWUN).
In the past 10 years, Manila Water has dramatically reduced NRW from 63 percent to 23
percent by employing technical solutions such as holistic pipe replacement, and by forming
supply zones, demand-monitoring zones (DMZs), and district-metering areas (DMAs). Manila
Water has also come up with non-technical solutions including people transformation and
community partnerships. With the significant reduction of water losses, Manila Water
has been able to provide potable water to more customers, especially those in lowincome communities.
Some 70 delegates from more than 10 countries attended the training workshop
and benefited from the comprehensive program prepared by the organizers. The
participants found Manila Water’s NRW reduction strategy to be very effective and were
very eager to apply the same in their home countries.
Recently, representatives of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board
(BWSSB) visited Manila Water to learn about the company’s best practices in reducing
water losses and operating a reliable and efficient system.
The study tour consisted of technical presentations, group discussions, and site visits
to Manila Water’s facilities, including its water-treatment plant, pumping stations and
reservoir, and sewage-treatment plant.
The five-person delegation also witnessed Manila Water’s proactive customer service
practices. The tour’s highlight was a visit to a poor community that has benefited
from the Tubig Para Sa Barangay (TPSB) project, Manila Water’s flagship program that
provides efficient and affordable services to low-income communities. Another group
of delegates from BWSSB is scheduled to visit Manila Water later in the year.
Manila Water continues to share its successful experience, especially in non-revenue
water management, with other water providers. With its solid track record in the
operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems, Manila Water plans to
replicate its success within the region, particularly in India, China, and Southeast Asia.
Virgilio Rivera Jr., Manila Water group director for Regulation and Corporate Development, shares the
best practices of the company with the participants of the regional NRW Management Training Course
In Tamil Nadu State in India, Manila Water has an ongoing management contract with
Mahindra Water Utilities Limited in the operations of the 185-million-liter-per-daycapacity Water Supply and Sewerage System in the city of Tirupur.
Ayala Corporation 1Q net income
Continued from p.1 >
respectively. Overall take-up of residential units rose by 17
percent. Shopping-center revenues grew by six percent,
with higher lease and occupancy rates. Revenues from the
corporate business segment also rose by 17 percent as a
result of the sale of three hectares at Laguna Technopark’s
expansion phase, higher office-occupancy rates, and rental
rates. Net income during the period was enhanced by gains
from the sale of shares in three of its subsidiaries early this year.
The net income of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
declined by 52 percent to P1.5 billion. Despite the lower
operating expenses, the 26 percent drop in revenues
trimmed profits. Net interest income dropped by nine percent
notwithstanding the P28 billion expansion in the average
asset base. Non-interest income also fell by 46 percent as the
rising interest rate scenario provided limited opportunities to
realize securities trading gains. Last year’s income of insurance
subsidiaries also included a P416 million gain from the sale
of a property. Net loans were up by 14 percent, ahead of the
industry’s nine percent growth driven by the middle market,
small and medium scale enterprises, and consumer segments.
Housing loans were a major growth driver, growing by
26 percent.
Globe Telecom’s net income increased by 32 percent
to P3.4 billion. Net subscriber additions reached nearly 1
million, putting total wireless subscribers to over 21 million
by the end of the quarter. The fixed line business grew by
six percent, driven by 73 percent and 15 percent growth
in broadband and corporate data revenues, respectively.
Cumulative broadband subscribers increased by 86 percent.
Globe continues to strengthen its internal capabilities to
support the anticipated growth in the broadband business.
The margin for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
and amortization (EBITDA) remains high at 64 percent.
The financial performance of operating units under AC Capital
was mixed. Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI), Manila
Water, and Ayala Automotive reported healthy earnings
growth that was negated by lower earnings of the BPO units.
2
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
IMI’s net income rose by 48 percent to
$9.3 million due to higher volumes and
lower fixed operating expenses. Revenues
increased by 13 percent as a result of
higher volumes from key customers.
Manila Water’s revenues increased by
16 percent to P2 billion on higher billed
volume and continued improvement
in non-revenue water. As a result of
its continuing capex program, Manila
Water connected more than 10,000 new
accounts to put total service connections
at over 675,000. Cost and expenses were
well contained and rose by only four
percent, which put net income to P625
million, 22 percent higher year-on-year.
The automotive business reflected
healthy underlying demand, with auto sales up five percent
compared with the same period last year. Revenues grew by
six percent, but higher expenses related to the opening of
new dealership operations last year, as well as higher interest
expense, capped earnings growth. The auto group posted a
four percent growth in net income year-on-year.
Unlisted business process outsourcing (BPO) companies
Integreon and Affinity Express both registered top-line
and bottom-line results that were ahead of expectations.
Integreon’s revenues were up 49 percent over the prior year,
while Affinity Express won new contracts with two of the
largest media groups in the US to service 114 newspapers and
publications. Listed call-center company eTelecare has not yet
released its first-quarter results but provided guidance during
its February earnings call for 2008 revenues of $300–310 million
(up 17 percent) and net income of $16–19 million, and firstquarter revenues of $70–72 million (up 15 percent) and net
income of $0.7 million. Margins were projected to be lower in
the first quarter due to one-time Sarbanes Oxley–related costs
and infrastructure investments.
Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
said: “We believe the underlying fundamentals of each of
our businesses remain solid. There are near term challenges
exacerbated by the US credit crisis and rising food and
commodity prices. We expect a more tempered growth
momentum across various industries, which may affect
some of our key businesses. However, we believe the strong
market and financial positions achieved by each of our
operating units will provide resiliency in the face of these
difficult conditions.”
Ayala Corporation was recently ranked third of the five
most-admired companies in the Philippines, in a survey
conducted by Wall Street Journal Asia. The company
topped the categories for long-term vision and corporate
reputation. Other Ayala companies also figured prominently
in the rankings, with Ayala Land taking the top spot, Globe
ranking fourth, and BPI fifth. A total of 2,477 executives and
professionals from 12 Asia-Pacific countries participated in
the survey.
News
LiveIt-owned Integreon acquires Datum Legal,
tops Black Book of Outsourcing list of KPOs
Integreon Managed Solutions Inc., a global leader in integrated
knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), announced on June 3 that
it has acquired Datum Legal Inc., a leading litigation support and
electronic data discovery (EDD) company based in New York City. Ayala
Corporation, Integreon’s majority shareholder, provided funding to
finance the acquisition. Integreon is a subsidiary of LiveIt Solutions,
Ayala Corporation’s investment arm in the business process outsourcing
(BPO) sector.
Overall Ranking, Knowledge Process Outsourcing
1. Integreon
11. WNS
2. Evalueserve
12. Innodata Isogen
3. RR Donnelley/Office Tiger
13. Accenture
4. Satyam BPO
14. Amba Research
Aside from acquiring Datum Legal, Integreon has also launched a fixed price per document
e-Discovery and accelerated document review solution, which will drastically and predictably
reduce litigation costs, and improve the quality and speed of the document review. Chris Egan,
Datum Legal’s founder and CEO, has been named as Integreon senior vice president and will
oversee the company’s Discovery Solutions business.
5. Genpact
15. Mindcrest
6. iGATE
16. OPI
7. Copal Partners
17. Infosys Progeon
Acquiring Datum Legal, with its experienced e-discovery professionals and state-of-the-art
20,000 square foot facility, builds on Integreon’s 2006 acquisition of Bowne & Co.’s Digital
Litigation Support business to give Integreon unparalleled litigation support capabilities in
New York.
8. Adventity
18. EXL Service Inductis
9. Wipro
19. iFlex
10. MphasiS
20. Aptara
Meanwhile, Integreon was named the top-ranking KPO provider in the world by the Black
Book of Outsourcing 2008. This is the third straight year that Integreon received the honor.
Integreon is a leading global legal process outsourcing (LPO) firm with 400 offshore
professionals reviewing litigation documents for law firms and Global 2000 corporations.
With the addition of Datum Legal’s capabilities, Integreon now offers an integrated discovery
management solution with a guaranteed fixed-price per document.
Furthermore, corporations and law firms can now deal with a single point of contact for all the
key elements of an e-discovery case: professional services, data reduction through analytics,
processing, hosting, and attorney review. Integreon performs all services at its wholly owned
facilities, both onshore and offshore.
“Law firms and corporate legal departments want a single provider to efficiently handle
all their litigation support needs at a lower, more predictable cost,” said Liam Brown, CEO
of Integreon. “Our acquisition of Datum Legal means we now offer a single discovery
management solution that includes the best of breed processing, hosting and review tools,
and world-class document review teams in the US, India, and the Philippines, to deliver faster
review at a predictable per-document price.”
Alfredo Ayala, Integreon chair, added: “The slowdown in the United States [economy] has
increased the need for companies to reduce their costs, so we are seeing very strong top-line
growth for Integreon and other companies under LiveIt.”
IMI to undertake
equity call amidst
hedging losses
Integreon also ranked high in the Black Book’s other categories. It placed third among all LPO
providers, and was the leader in the subcategory of litigation document review.
It placed sixth among all document process outsourcing (DPO) providers, grabbing the top
spot in the following subcategories: financial, regulatory, insurance, legal, and compliance
document services.
The Black Book also showed Integreon’s continuing rise in the BPO industry by naming the
company as one of the 50 best-managed outsourcing vendors for the second year in a row.
From being last year’s 49th best-managed BPO company, Integreon has jumped to the
39th spot.
“Integreon’s strong rankings underscore our expertise across the range of research, legal, and
document categories of KPO,” said Liam Brown. “We were also very pleased to have ranked
number one in delivery excellence, breadth of offering, and process improvement, which our
customers consider critical to successful KPO.”
The Black Book of Outsourcing contains the results of the annual survey on the global
outsourcing industry conducted by the Brown-Wilson Group, a Florida-based consultancy
firm. The survey boasts of over 400,000 respondents from corporations, organizations, and
government agencies who use or offer outsourcing services.
Ayala companies collect honors from FinanceAsia and
Corporate Governance Asia
Continued from p.1 >
Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI) has
booked $23.2 million in realized losses
and provided $10.3 million in mark-tomarket losses as of June 2008.
The losses were a result of IMI’s currency-hedging contracts.
The group had decided to hedge its peso expenses in 2007,
when the peso was appreciating. However, the peso’s value
has dropped this year—a turnabout from its being Asia’s
best-performing currency last year, with gains peaking at 19
percent. In early June, the exchange rate was P43.9 to the dollar.
According to Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala chief
executive officer, “The changes in the macroeconomic
environment and the peso volatility have unfortunately
affected the hedging position of IMI.”
He added, however, that the IMI board has come up with a
short-term program to correct its financial position by June
30. The IMI board of directors also approved a program to call
for additional equity from its shareholders. The proceeds from
the equity call will be used to support IMI’s expansion plan.
(From left) Delfin Gonzales Jr., Globe chief finance officer; Jewel Austria, Manila Water assistant corporate secretary; and Renato Marzan, Ayala
general counsel, receive the company awards at the Corporate Governance Asia recognition program held on June 26 in Hong Kong
Corporate Governance Asia, the region’s authoritative journal on corporate governance published quarterly by Hong Kong–
based New Initiative Media, cited the Ayala companies for the second consecutive year. Awardees were selected based on a
publicly acclaimed track record for corporate governance, involvement in activities directly related to improving or enhancing
the standards of corporate governance, and implementation of significant and specific CG-related reforms in the past year.
The Corporate Governance Asia award is the fourth major award received this year by the Ayala group for good governance
practices. Earlier this year, Ayala, Globe, BPI, and ALI obtained four of the five top rankings of the Institute of Corporate Directors’
2007 Corporate Governance Scorecard Project. Ayala also ranked first in the category Best for Responsibilities of Management
and Board of Directors among Philippine companies in AsiaMoney’s Corporate Governance Poll.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
3
News
Global Finance names BPI as
RP’s best sub-custodian bank
Global Finance magazine recently picked the Bank
of the Philippine Islands as the Best Sub-Custodian
Bank in the Philippines in its sixth annual survey of
the best sub-custodians in the world. The survey
measures the reliability of custody services provided
in local markets and regions to global clients.
BPI is the only local bank to be accredited as a third-party
custodian, and also the first bank to act as such through its asset
management and trust group (AMTG). BPI’s accreditation as
custodian was largely made possible by its highly acceptable
risk-based capital-adequacy ratio and recognized system of rating
banks using six categories. These include capital adequacy, asset
quality, management quality, and sensitivity to market risk.
Global Finance editors and reporters, with input from expert
sources, selected the winners from the institutions that reliably
BPI’s Montinola
is new BAP president
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) president and chief executive
officer Aurelio Montinola III recently assumed the presidency of the
Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).
Composed of 40 local banks and foreign bank branches, the BAP
is a non-stock, nonprofit organization that aims to ensure the
strength and growth of the Philippine financial system, particularly
in relation to the banking industry. Formally incorporated in 1964,
the group keeps strong links with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
and other government institutions (such as the legislature), as well
as private banking associations.
The organization is also a venue for member banks to discuss issues
facing the commercial banking industry in the country.
A recipient of the 2005 Asian Banking Leadership Award, Montinola
is also on the board of directors of Ayala Land Inc. and Manila Water
Company, and is president of BPI Foundation Inc. Prior to becoming
president of the BAP, Montinola served as the organization’s vice
president and, earlier, a member of its board of directors.
provide the best custody services in local markets and regions
to global custodians. The magazine’s criteria included customer
relations, quality of service, competitive pricing, smooth handling
of exception items, technology platforms, post-settlement
operations, business-continuity plans, and knowledge of local
regulations and practices. The winners were selected from nine
regions and 53 countries.
Global FInance, which celebrates its 21st year of publishing in
2008, has 50,000 subscribers and more than 284,000 readers in
over 158 countries. The magazine’s audience includes chairmen,
presidents, CEOs, CFOs, treasurers, and other financial officers
responsible for making investments and strategic business
decisions for large global companies and financial institutions.
“At times like these, when markets are volatile and uncertain,
sub-custodians are called upon to provide intelligence on local
markets and sudden changes in regulations and practices. We
have identified those banks that do the best job of providing
the high-quality services, advice, and assistance that today’s
increasingly sophisticated customers have come to expect,” said
Joseph Giarraputo, publisher of the magazine.
ASTI joins SODEC in Tokyo
Ayala Systems Technology Inc., in cooperation with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), recently participated in the Software Development Expo and Conference (SODEC) to showcase its capabilities in software
development and outsourcing in the Japanese market. SODEC was held on May 14 to 16, in Tokyo, Japan.
During the exposition, ASTI highlighted Global Bridge, the incubationsupport services in its exhibit suite. It also showcased other services,
including systems integration, global resourcing, offshore software
development, offshore testing and maintenance, creative services,
infrastructure services, oracle practice services, and business process
outsourcing (BPO).
The other organizations that joined ASTI in the Philippine Pavilion were
Advanced World Systems, Alliance Software, Astra (Philippines), Imperium
Technology, N-Pax Cebu Corporation, WeServ Systems International, and
Tsukiden Software Philippines Group.
The Philippine delegation to SODEC conducted the following programs to
ensure the effective presentation of the country’s software development
and outsourcing capabilities: business matching, country presentation and
business seminar, and a networking reception for prospective Japanese
partners and clients.
Officials from Ayala Systems Technology Inc. (ASTI) and Ayala Systems Japan (ASJ) showcase the group’s I.T. capability at SODEC
2008. (From left) Genesis Bautista, ASTI creative services manager; Tadaaki Sato, ASJ business development director; Shigeru Koda,
ASJ president; and Melvin Lopez, ASTI Japan Incubation Supports Services bridge systems engineer
4
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
The country’s participation in this year’s SODEC showed Japanese
information technology companies and other foreign visitors the
competitiveness of software development in the Philippines. ASTI’s
participation in the event not only showed the company’s serious efforts in
promoting its products and services, but also demonstrated its commitment
to championing the nation and its people in the global I.T. market.
News
News
Manila Water earmarks P26 B for wastewater programs
maintained septic tanks and the absence
of sanitation facilities, especially among
informal settlers living along the banks of
rivers. About 80 percent of Metro Manila
residents use septic tanks to collect their
used water.
To address these problems, Manila
Water has already upgraded the biggest
sewage-treatment plant (STP) in the
country—the Magallanes STP, which
serves the Makati commercial district.
Manila Water has also put up 30 other
package STPs and smaller STPs, including
the UP STP, which has a combined
capacity of 85 million liters per day.
Manila Water employees embark on massive pipe-laying activities in keeping with the company’s
goal of serving the residents of the East Zone better. With a P26 billion budget, Manila Water aims
to improve the area’s sanitation and sewerage coverage to 30 percent by 2012
With 99 percent of the central distribution area of eastern
Metro Manila already enjoying non-stop water supply, Manila
Water Company has now given more focus to stepping up its
efforts in increasing sewerage and sanitation coverage for its
more than five million customers.
“We have allotted P26 billion for various wastewater programs
for the next 15 years beginning 2008,” says Manila Water
president Antonino Aquino. “When we took over the East Zone
in 2007, only about three percent of our area was connected to a
sewer network. Now our sewer coverage is 12 percent.” With the
completion of the Manila Third Sewerage Project in 2012, Manila
Water’s sewer coverage is expected to go up to 30 percent.
Pollution of major river bodies in Metro Manila is caused mostly
by domestic wastewater, which accounts for 65 to 70 percent of
the pollution of water bodies. This can be traced to improperly
Recently, Manila Water has broken ground
by using an innovative technology called
combined drainage–sewer system,
employing current drainage systems as
conveyors of wastewater, which will be
intercepted and treated before being
discharged into rivers.
For households that are not connected to a sewer network
and are dependent mostly on septic tanks, Manila Water has
intensified its Sanitasyon Para Sa Barangay (SPSB) program,
which offers scheduled de-sludging services. About 270,000
households have already benefited from this program as of the
end of 2007.
Wastewater programs such as these contribute greatly to
environmental protection by reducing pollution of water bodies.
They also improve overall sanitation conditions, particularly in
poor communities.
Manila Water has allotted a total of P187 billion for its capital
investment program for the next 15 years. Of this capital outlay,
P37 billion will be spent over the next five years, with P7 billion
set to be spent in 2008 alone.
Timezone renews contract
with Disney
Globe’s recruitment
system now fully automated
Globe Telecom recently announced that it has
made its recruitment process fully automated
to further enhance the company’s recruitment
system. The move is also expected to empower
Globe’s management in all aspects of manpower
requisition and monitoring.
GRITS (Globe Recruitment IT Systems) is a project of the
STAR Team (Strategic Talent Attraction and Recruitment)
of Globe’s HR Service Delivery Center (SDC). GRITS began
in 2007 with the launch of an exclusive platform for
gathering and processing employee applications.
Starting July 1, 2008, Globe’s manpower requisition form
will be replaced by an automated system called eMR
(Electronic Manpower Requisition). The new system allows
line leaders to simply go online to request and approve
manpower requisitions, track status of requests, and send
reminders on pending approvals.
An offshoot of the GRITS project is GERI (Globe Employee
Referral Initiative)—a rewards program for employees who
help bring in the right people for Globe’s vacant posts.
Successful referrers can earn up to 35,000 GERI points,
which are convertible to rewards items equal to the
points’ peso value.
GERI points are given to referrers in three tranches. The
first tranch is given on the first day of the new hire, while
the second and third tranches are given on the new
hire’s third and sixth month of employment. This scheme
challenges referrers to be more involved in the process by
ensuring that their referrals adapt well in the organization.
Through GRITS and GERI, Globe hopes to encourage
its personnel to further help in building the company’s
organizational capability. After all, co-workers or peers are
considered as the overall top engagement driver in Globe.
Globe Business provides TxtConnect
service to M. Lhuillier
Timezone recently renewed a three-year partnership contract
with the Walt Disney Company, as represented by its Philippine
marketing licensee, Fun Characters International.
Now Disney and arcade-game fanatics can keep on having fun at Timezone
Celebrates Disney corners at Glorietta 4, TriNoma, and Alabang Town Center. The
Disney corners feature Disney-themed game machines, prizes, and exclusive promos.
Some of the prizes that lucky players may win from the Disney games are stuffed
toys of Pooh and friends, Mickey and friends, and other famous Disney characters.
These stuffed toys may be as small as 12 inches or as big as 32 inches. Other
prizes like Disney dolls, kiddie accessories, stationery, and school supplies can be
redeemed in exchange for Powertickets at the prize counter. Even food items such
as Disney mallows and peanuts can be won in games like Big Sweetland.
Fans of Disney movies and television shows, meanwhile, can continue to make their
Disney Powercard collection grow, as Timezone continues to offer promotional
items tied up to Disney movies and shows until 2011. Just recently, Timezone
released promo items and collectible Powercards featuring High School Musical 2
and Hannah Montana.
Globe Business recently announced that it is the new partner of M. Lhuillier
for its money-transfer service in the Philippines. Through TxtConnect, Globe
now enhances M. Lhuillier’s Kwarta Padala service by enabling the financial
services company to notify its customers via SMS of the availability of their
funds and the details of their transactions.
TxtConnect enables companies like M. Lhuillier to send high-volume text broadcasts to
preregistered groups such as employees and customers. It provides business organizations
with instant, targeted, and two-way communication lines so that they get to their people and
clients faster and more efficiently.
With this service, Globe’s corporate customers get to send messages simultaneously to
thousands of people, create groups, schedule sending of messages, receive text replies, and
generate reports for messages sent and received.
(From left) Raffy Prats Jr., Timezone president; Cora Dizon, Timezone vice president and
corporate treasurer; and Beibi Salazar, FCI managing director formalize the Timezone–Disney
partnership
6
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
Sealing the partnership are (from left) Globe Business sales head for Visayas/Mindanao Rowena
Moras, Globe Business heading product management Louie Villanueva, M. Lhuillier vice
president Michael Lhuillier, and M. Lhuillier finance head Cecille Lumapas.
News
Globe’s Cebu volunteers win excellence award
for social responsibility
Members of the Globe Volunteers Team-Cebu (GVT-C) receive the Globe Corporate Social Responsibility Award for its projects on computer literacy, livelihood, and the environment. In photo are (from left) Atty. Manuel
Gordon, Editha Ratilla, Aldrich Paypon, Mary Joy Tan, Cleofe Mendoza, Julyenda Sandil, and Michael Sandil
For its work in helping improve computer literacy, as well as promoting livelihood and
environmental programs in Cebu, the Globe Volunteerism Team-Cebu (GVT-C) won this
year’s Globe Excellence Award for Social Responsibility.
“The award greatly inspired and drove us to encourage more fellow employees to take the
opportunity and experience the fulfillment of serving others as one Globe team,” said Aldrich
Paypon, overall team leader.
GVT-C started its Cebu projects in 2006 with Saturday outreach activities. In 2007, GVT-C
launched the Computer Literacy Program, from which more than 300 high school and
elementary students and 50 teachers benefited. A Computer Whiz Quiz Bee for high school
students was held in the same year. Teachers were also given special materials that would
help improve their computer skills. Other education-related projects that the group started
were a leadership-training seminar for high school students, and laboratory-apparatusmaking and arts programs for grade school students.
Composed of 71 volunteer employees, GVT-C implements projects supported by Globe
Telecom’s Human Resources Employee Programs, which initiate and sustain activities in areas
where Globe is present. Its goal is to be of service to others by helping uplift the standard of
living of the residents in these communities, and to give them a stake in ensuring the safety of
the cell sites found within their vicinity.
GVT-C spearheaded a livelihood-training program on soap-making and candle-making
for parents. The team also participated in a tree-planting activity with the Ayala Business
Club Cebu. The group ended 2007 with a gift-giving activity that benefited as many as 800
students and teachers from the Guadalupe Elementary School and Maximo Noel Memorial
High School.
AFI annual report receives
Wilmer Shields Rich Award
Globe introduces new dataroaming plan for frequent
travelers
Globe Telecom recently unveiled Bridge
DataRoam,, the most affordable data-roaming
plan for frequent travelers.
The new Bridge DataRoam offers a flat monthly rate of
$15 for five megabytes of data. This offer allows users
to save almost 80 percent on data-roaming services
while accessing the services of any Bridge Alliance
network member.
Bridge Alliance, the leading mobile alliance in the AsiaPacific region, spans across 11 major territories, and
counts 11 leading mobile operators from these territories
as partners. It serves over 205 million customers and
offers value-added services to frequent travelers who
access the network.
The Bridge Alliance operators are SingTel Optus in
Australia, Maxis in Malaysia, CSL in Hong Kong, SingTel
Mobile in Singapore, Bharti-Airtel in India, SK Telecom in
South Korea, Telkomsel in Indonesia, Taiwan Mobile in
Taiwan, CTM in Macau, AIS in Thailand, and Globe in
the Philippines.
AFI president Victoria Garchitorena (right) receives the silver award from Anne Cramer, Council of Foundations board
member and IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs director, at the 2008 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards on May 5
in National Harbor, Maryland.
This is Ayala Foundation’s third Wilmer Award. In 2006 AFI also received a silver prize for its 2004 annual report, while it
won the gold award in 2007 for its 2005 report.
The “Wilmers” is a project of the Council on Foundations, an international organization of more than 2,000 foundations
and grant-giving programs. The awards seek to recognize effective and creative communications strategies employed by
various foundations.
As part of Bridge Alliance, Globe brings easy-to-use
services for the traveling convenience of customers. The
network allows them to stay connected seamlessly across
the region.
This data-roaming promo, which runs up to August 12,
2008, is available to all Globe postpaid subscribers. The
fee will be charged to the subscriber’s monthly billing.
To subscribe and to receive discounts, call Globe’s Customer
Service hotline 211 from a Globe mobile phone (toll-free
while in the Philippines), or visit any Globe Business Center at
least one day before departure
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
7
One Triumpha
AC athlete prepares to jump
Overall sports commissioner JP Orbeta
AC adviser Aris Estrada
The ALI cheering squad in a breathtaking stunt
AC’s Edith Nolledo and Ato Mar
The Ayala contingent led by FZA and team captain Ricky Jacinto
The IMI cheer gallery
Higher. Stronger. Swifter. These fighting words marked the recently concluded 2008 Ayala
Olympics, which sought to promote camaraderie and unity among the employees of the
Ayala group through friendly competitions in athletics.
Held on May 10, the quadrennial event attracted an estimated 11,000 employees who all trooped to the Rizal
Track and Football Stadium to participate in the games or to cheer for their respective companies and
team colors.
All the athletes and cheer squads played with a fierce sense of competition, proving that the pursuit of
excellence is taken seriously by all Ayala companies—even in the area of sports. But with the pursuit of
excellence came a sense of fair play and friendship, as players congratulated each other on their efforts at the
end of each game.
“While we have different organization cultures, demographics, systems, and customers, it is precisely this
diversity that gives us the most opportunity as a group. We view the athletes not as competitors but as
comrades who will challenge us to do even better,” said Ayala chairman and chief executive officer Jaime
Augusto Zobel de Ayala.
ASTI’s Erwin Locsin, FZA, Honda’s Mar Encarnacion, and Integreon’s
Erik Tabuena (not in photo) in the 4x50 m Mancom relay
The six teams in this year’s Olympics were Ayala Corporation (royal blue); Ayala Land Inc. (green); Bank of the
Philippine Islands (burgundy red); Globe Telecom (dark blue); Integrated Microelectronics Inc (bright red);
and Manila Water (aqua blue).
Manila Water bagged the games’ top honors for the second time in a row by winning 15 of the 22 sporting
events and setting 11 new records (see related story on page 11). Coming in at second place was IMI, while
Globe placed third. In the much-awaited cheer-dance competition, ALI emerged on top, followed by IMI and
BPI in second and third places.
To make the games even more exciting, the organizing committee announced at this year’s Olympics
that it will start giving the JZA Cup in the 2012 Olympics. John Philip Orbeta, overall sports commissioner,
explained: “The JZA Cup is named after our chairman emeritus who has graciously accepted our challenge
to personally design a perpetual trophy that will be awarded to the team that garners the most points in
designated sporting events over the next four years.”
To qualify for the trophy, Ayala companies can field athletes in a series of annual, biennial, and quadrennial
sporting events. Winning in any of these select events will earn points for the participating Ayala company.
The team with the most number of points by 2012 will win the inaugural JZA Cup.
8
The first Ayala group Olympics was also held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on March 26, 1988. The
first Ayala games, which carried the theme Group Unity Through Sports, saw the IMI team running away with
the gold.
ALI athletes get ready to fight
ant Ayala
rzan
An athlete takes a leap
AC’s Bogie Manotok and Ayala Aviation’s Lito Reyes
The Globe cheer gallery
BPI’s Shalina Pitoy receives a medal from FZA
AC’s Nona Torres
JAZA announces the creation of the JZA cup
The ALI cheer gallery
BPI’s Rafael Ricote
Ayala group CEOs light the Olympic torch
BPI’s Alvin Miranda, Eliberto Serran, Jorge Martin Temblique, and Julito Dipon Jr.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies9
9
AC’s tug-of-war team
ALI cheer dancers show their winning form
AC cheerleaders
The Manila Water tug-of-war team
AC and MWC chase balls and medals at the basketball dribble relay
Speeding up at the tire relay
Ned Goseco with the Globe contingent
Mancom relay winners
Gold Medal Winners at the 2008 Ayala Olympics
3.2 km mini-marathon (Men)
Abraham Barcarse Jr. (MWC)
800 m run (Women)
Liza Yambao (MWC)
1.6 km mini-marathon (Women)
Liza Yambao (MWC)
400 m run (Men)
Caster Anin (MWC)
Long jump (Men)
Francis Oliveros Jr. (MWC)
400 m run (Women)
Rosalyn Buenafe (MWC)
Long jump (Women)
Morena Beronio (MWC)
8x50 m run basketball dribble relay (Women)
Estelita Orodio, Juvy Ramos, Merlyn Alviba,
Ma. Elizabeth Domanais, Joan Rae Tuazon,
Marnellie Bautista, Genevieve Vergara,
Bernadette Elefante (MWC)
4x100 m management relay
Cirilo Almario III, Allan Roy Ortiz, Carlo Cruz,
Alberto Glindro (MWC)
4X100 m mixed relay
Felipe Paulo, Rolly Falculan, Caster Anin,
Josafat Tabuno (MWC)
Tug-of-War
Rommel Aldovino, Donald Cantos,
Jolly Concepcion, Christopher Espino, Ruel Llave,
Alvin Robis, Frank Alita (Globe)
8x50 m tire relay
Benny Leysa, Maximo Banson, Rowel Malubag,
Rolando Abella, Estelita Orodio, Leonor Gamolo,
Elainie David, Fe Pariña Astrero (MWC)
5x20 sack race (Mixed)
Jeffrey Carcido, Rommel Benitua, Cora Bughao,
Geraldine Arciaga, Mar Tolentino (IMI)
4x20 m beach ball sandwich relay (Mixed)
Edwin Azur, Rodrigo Abinsay, Rolando Abella,
Edgardo Santos, Leonor Gamolo, Fe Pariña Astrero,
Jane Pascual, Elainie David (MWC)
Obstacle course (Mixed relay) Edgar Rosales, Teresito Miranda, Catherine Lecudine,
Miranda Antonio, Leonardo de la Cruz (IMI)
800 m run (Men)
Abraham Barcarse Jr. (MWC)
The BPI cheering squad
200 m run (Men)
Reymond Abad (MWC)
200 m run (Women)
Cristina Malunes (MWC)
4x50 m Mancom relay
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Erwin Locsin,
Mariano Adriano Encarnacion,
Erik Tabuena (AC)
100 m dash (Men)
Marvin Baldivia (Globe)
100 m dash (Women)
Josafat Tabuno (MWC)
100 m centipede race (Men)
Edilberto Gutierrez, Marvin Mercado,
Jose Virgilio Tulay, Ronald Tongol (Globe)
ALI’s Robert Bala
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
IMI’s Lernie Domingo and MWC’s Abraham Barcarse
Cheer-dance competition
ALI
Most valuable player (Men)
Abraham Barcarse Jr. (MWC)
Most valuable player (Women)
Liza Yambao (MWC)
Michelle Ferriols and co-host
10
A Globe athlete wins an award
BPI athletes at the beach ball sandwich relay
Team Manila Water celebrates their Olympic victory
Abrahan Barcarse Jr.
Tony Aquino leads the winning contingent
Francis Oliveros
Manila Water triumphs
at 2008 Ayala Olympics
Manila Water Company once again trounced the competition
to become the overall champion at the quadrennial Ayala
Olympics held on May 10 at the Rizal Memorial Track and
Football Stadium.
Manila Water earned a winning total of 319 points, a 73-point victory over
runner-up Integrated Microelectronics Inc., which garnered 246 points. Placing
third was Globe Telecom, with 220 points.
Pat Tubig and JAZA
The Balara-based squad—which had won 10 of 18 events in 2004 to take home
the championship title—bagged 15 of the 22 gold medals this year and set 11
of the games’ 14 records.
Abraham Barcarse Jr. and Liza Yambao, who were named the most valuable
players of the Olympics, set the tone for the day by winning the first seven events.
Manila Water officials were all praises for the team. “It is an organizational
victory,” said Manila Water president Antonino Aquino. “Everybody came
together and supported an overall goal, which was to win back-to-back gold.”
Liza Yambao
Barcarse shows off his medal
Tina Malunez
He added that the victory was achieved using the best practices that the
organization applies to its business endeavors. “This was evident in the way our
athletes, cheerleaders, and boosters worked hard, and sacrificed time and effort
to win for Manila Water,” he explained.
Liza Ordio (center) and team mates
The management relay team
Aquino revealed that every group director adopted a number of teams and
athletes, serving as their champions and mentors. Manila Water managers also
allowed their athletes and cheerleaders to spend time for preparations without
compromising their normal responsibilities and functions. A bayanihan type of
culture came into play, with teammates in the workplace pinch-hitting for their
colleagues when necessary.
The vision of a back-to-back win served as the inspiration and driving force for
the organization in this year’s Olympics. What Manila Water calls its “winning
culture” was in fact spawned by the 2004 Ayala Olympics victory.
“That victory created a winning mindset among our people,” explained human
resource and corporate services group head Ruel Maranan, “It is a champion’s
mindset to be willing to do what it takes to become the best in any endeavor, to
live up to the standards set by that 2004 triumph.”
JAZA and FZA with the winners in the women’s
mini-marathon
Manila Water cheerleaders
Ayala Cares
CENTEX graduate heads Santa Isabel student council,
while CENTEX teachers update curriculum
Jenina Anos, a member of CENTEX’s first graduating class of 2005, recently
brought home some good news by winning the presidency in the student
council elections of Santa Isabel College high school. The former CENTEX
scholar said she decided to run for the position because it would give her
the chance to help her fellow students.
The Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education or CENTEX is a model public
For the duration of her term, Jenina plans to stick to one goal, which is to unite the students
Meanwhile, CENTEX held a curriculum
of Santa Isabel College. As president of the school’s student council, Jenina intends to
audit workshop for its teachers on
create opportunities for CENTEX and non-CENTEX students to interact more. She believes
April 21 to 25 at CENTEX Manila. A total
that they can help each other perform better in their studies. She also believes that the big
of 41 teachers from CENTEX Manila and
responsibility of leading the school’s student council will provide her with new experiences
Batangas attended the workshop. The
and train her to be a better person and leader. She adds that she was overwhelmed by the
workshop was conducted in keeping with
support and trust that she received from her fellow students.
CENTEX’s efforts to improve the quality of
school established by the Ayala Foundation in 1998 in Tondo, Manila. Another CENTEX
school was eventually established in Bauan, Batangas. Through CENTEX, a select group
of very bright children from underprivileged families receive free quality grade school
education and the necessary support to give them the opportunity for a better life.
“The idea of servant
leadership is the best
virtue that I learned
from CENTEX.”
education it offers.
Jenina’s desire to help other people was already apparent when she was very young.
During her grade school years at CENTEX, Jenina was very helpful to her teachers and
classmates, and on their graduation day, the school gave her one of its highest honors, the
Servant Leadership Award.
“CENTEX helped me develop good study habits,” says Jenina. “They also helped in building
The teachers spent five days developing a curriculum that measures up to CENTEX’s
goal of achieving excellence in teaching academically gifted children. At the end of the
workshop, the participants came up with curriculum guides for the core subjects, which
are Integrated Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. These guides aim to help teachers
in preparing for their daily lesson plans.
my self-confidence and personality through the self-esteem subject. The idea of servant
The workshop was also able to produce a revised CENTEX curriculum, the result of blending
leadership is the best virtue that I learned from CENTEX. Weigh the situation according to
the existing CENTEX curriculum with the Department of Education’s Philippine Elementary
facts before making a judgment.”
Learning Competencies (PELC).
12
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
Ayala Cares
Ayala Foundation holds Tigil Buga 2008
Ayala Foundation Inc. joined the hundreds of people who marched along
Ayala Avenue on April 28, encouraging motorists to participate in Tigil Buga,
a one-minute engine-shutoff campaign to limit carbon emissions in the
country.
Tigil Buga was held in cooperation with the city government of Makati, Manila Water, Honda
Cars Makati, Ayala Malls, Ayala Center Association, Ayala Property Management Corp., Clean
Cities Makati Coalition, USAID-SEDP, Liga ng mga Barangay, Rotary Club of Makati–Poblacion,
Sangguniang Kabataan, Makati Commercial Estate Association, Department of Education
Makati, Makati Environment Youth Advocacy, and the Ms. Earth Foundation.
The Tigil Buga participants wore handmade yellow hats and carried handshaped placards to remind everyone of how carbon emissions contribute to
global warming. Studies show that excessive idling of running engines and
using cars over very short distances raise the levels of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere considerably.
After the parade, the participants proceeded to Glorietta 3 Park where a series of
activities was held all day. In the morning, campaign organizers mounted a short
program, which was attended by Marjorie de Veyra, city administrator for Makati;
Divina Chinchuangco, country director for the Sustainable Energy Development
Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAIDSEDP); and Guillermo Luz, AFI executive vice president.
Luz outlined the Ayala conglomerate’s various CSR projects aimed at protecting
the environment. The program ended with an exhibit featuring the environmentrelated activities of the Makati barangays, the city government, and other
partner organizations.
Later in the day, AFI and its partner organizations hosted lectures and other
activities that encouraged people to help stop global warming and environmental
destruction. These activities included a lecture on the practical issues surrounding
global warning, with Nathaniel Cruz of PAGASA; recycling demonstrations to
students led by Tetra Pak, Gifts and Graces Foundation, and Sarah Queblatin; a
lecture on the effects of global warming with Susan Roxas of the World Wildlife
Fund; and a story-telling session with celebrity Christine Bersola.
Tigil Buga volunteers encouraged motorists on Ayala Avenue
to shut off their engines for one minute to help limit carbon
emissions into the atmosphere
Globe and National Book Store
bring mobile libraries to Gawad Kalinga communities
Globe Telecom recently entered into a partnership
with National Book Store to bring the National
Book Foundation’s Buklat-Aklat Mobile Library
Project to select Gawad Kalinga communities in
Metro Manila. The goal of the project is to increase
the opportunities of underprivileged kids for
learning and education by giving them better
access to books.
From March 24 to May 17, Buklat-Aklat visited Gawad
Kalinga Villages in Mandaluyong, Pasig, Cainta, Las Piñas, and
Caloocan, benefiting around 600 kids.
Together, Globe and National Book Store brought 550 awardwinning titles to these communities. Activities were also
held to encourage the children to read and learn. There were
reading sessions, animated story-telling sessions, creative
learning through songs and games, and guided reading
sessions with teachers and guardians.
Globe employees also participated in the project by serving
as storytellers during the Buklat-Aklat caravans. On the last
day of each caravan, Globe employee-volunteers took time
out to play educational games with the children, read stories
to them, and help them create their own storybooks. For its
part, National Book Store donated 100 books to each Gawad
Kalinga community for the children’s use.
All the books used in Buklat-Aklat were eventually donated
to the Globe-TM Gawad Kalinga Village in Bagong Silang,
Caloocan, for the building of their own community library.
After the successful run of the project, Globe and National
Book Store look forward to bringing the Buklat-Aklat caravan
to other parts of the country.
A member of Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines conducts an animated story-telling
session for the children in Gawad Kalinga Norwegian Village, Las Piñas
Globe, DTI join hands
to support SMEs
Globe Telecom and the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) recently signed
a three-year deal that seeks to launch
various projects that would help develop
micro, small, and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) in the country.
First among these projects is this year’s Masigasig
Awards, which honor determined, persistent,
and motivated entrepreneurs. The awarding
ceremony will take place in July during the MSME
Development Week. This year’s winners will get
cash and special prizes from Globe.
(From left) Ailene Averion, head of marketing, corporate, and SME
segments, Globe Business; Maridol Ylanan, head of corporate and
SME segments, Globe Business; Undersecretary Merly Cruz of the
DTI Regional Operations and Development Group; and Rhodora
Leaño, DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development
(BSMED) director
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
13
Ayala Cares
Avida donates land to Lipa Archdiocese
(From left) Fr. Carlo Ilagan, Apolonio Matic
(GDC), Jeffrey Campos (GDC), Archbishop
Ramon Arguelles, Rosaleo Montenegro, and
Fr. Mike Samaniego
Avida Land Corp., together with Greenfield Development Corp.,
formalized its land donation to the Archdiocese of Lipa with the signing
of a deed of donation held on June 25 at the Mandarin Oriental,
Makati City.
The donated land, which covers 20,000 square meters, is part of San Rafael Estates in Santo
Tomas, Batangas.
Present during the deed signing were Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of the Archdiocese of
Lipa, Avida chief finance officer Rosaleo Montenegro, and Avida vice president for project
development Christopher Maglanoc.
The Archdiocese will soon begin the construction of St. Thomas Academy (STA) in Avida
Communities Santo Tomas, where the children of 500 families are expected to benefit from
the school’s new grade school department, which opens in June 2009.
It has been two years since the Archdiocese took the helm in operating the now
ninety-year-old STA. One of its immediate thrusts was to offer elementary schooling to
complement STA’s high school department. According to the Archdiocese, it was timely
that Avida was looking for a partner in San Antonio Heights to respond to the academic
needs of the community.
The mission of STA is to provide affordable Catholic education, while Avida offers
homeowners a complete community on top of affordable housing. By offering
thoughtfully planned, secure, and easily accessible communities at affordable prices, Avida
continues to provide homeowners with new opportunities to celebrate life. The donation
is an affirmation of the company’s promise of a fulfilling living experience with Avida.
Manila Water, DOH complete Lingap Ospital program
Partners in the Lingap Ospital program sign a memorandum of agreement for the rehabilation of water-related facilities of the Center for the Ultimate Rehabilition of Drug Dependents
(CUREDD). In photo are (from left) PC superintendent general Erick Javier, Manila Water president Antonino Aquino, DOH undersecretary Jade del Mundo, and CUREDD director Carmelita Belgica
Manila Water Company, in cooperation with the Department of Health, recently
announced the completion of the four-year Lingap Ospital program, which sought to
upgrade the water-related facilities of government hospitals in the east concession
area. The last hospital to benefit from the project was the Center for the Ultimate
Rehabilitation of Drug Dependents (CUREDD) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.
The other hospitals that have benefited from Lingap Ospital were the National Center for
Started in 2004, Lingap Ospital upgraded and re-piped the water lines connected to
With the completion of Lingap Ospital, Manila Water is now planning to rehabilitate the
water facilities of barangay health centers all over the east zone. The company has allotted
P7 billion for its 2008 capital expenditure program, which involves ensuring the reliability of
its water supply network, harnessing additional water sources, and expanding its coverage
not only in terms of water provision but also in the areas of wastewater management
and sanitation.
various government hospitals in the east zone. The program also repaired toilets and
installed drinking fountains, fire hydrants, and water-quality testing points. Among other
benefits, Lingap Ospital reduced the need for patients to buy bottled water, which adds
significantly to mounting hospital bills. For CUREDD alone, Manila Water spent almost
P400,000 to ensure the continuous supply of water for the hospital’s patients and staff.
14
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3 > MAY-JUNE 2008
Mental Health, East Avenue Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical
Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Children’s Hospital, Philippine Heart Center,
National Kidney Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, and Amang Rodriguez
Medical Center.
Feature
Kisame brings visions of heaven on earth
The Ayala Museum, in cooperation with the
Filipino Heritage Festival Inc., the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts, the
Department of Tourism, and the Provincial
Government of Bohol opened Kisame: Visions of
Heaven on Earth on May 27.
The exhibit aims to generate greater awareness of the
historical and cultural significance of Bohol’s church murals
and ceiling paintings, and to provide Filipinos a closer look at
these antique masterpieces. The exhibit is curated by Fr. Milan
Ted Torralba, executive secretary of the Permanent Collection
of the Cultural Heritage of the Church, under the Catholic
Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines.
Bohol’s centuries-old churches are now living landmarks
of Spain’s influence in the Philippines. The first Spanish
missionaries, called doctrineros, built them in the province as
early as 1595. Shortly after the arrival of the Jesuits, a visita
was erected in Baclayon, where a church was constructed
using square blocks of coral stones cemented together with
millions of egg whites toiled upon by locals on polo or
forced labor.
Of the lovely Spanish-era-built churches now under the
care of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, 12 boast of magnificent,
intricately painted ceilings in various stages of preservation.
These massive structures have served parishioners through
the centuries not only as places of worship but also as
repositories of art, sculpture, and music.
Several young Cebuano painters, who distinguished
themselves as highly gifted artists despite the lack of formal
training, were responsible for the religious art that has
adorned the churches’ upper interiors since the late 1920s.
One of the painters was the late Raymundo Francia, dubbed
as Cebu’s Michelangelo.
Painting an estimated 80 percent of Bohol’s churches, Francia
discovered techniques of his own and developed a paint
mixture by which his works have retained their original
brilliance and color despite the passage of almost a century.
Skillful shading likewise gave his paintings a striking threedimensional appearance in the trompe l’oeil manner.
In connection with the exhibit, the Ayala Museum hosted
a lecture at the museum lobby on June 21, with Torralba
discussing the paintings’ historical and religious contexts.
The Ayala Museum exhibition, which is on view at the groundfloor gallery until July 20, features and recreates the most
important of these ceiling paintings. “Artists worked lovingly,
but arduously, to bequeath us these treasures. We must strive,
in equal measure, to show future generations of Filipinos
the richness of our church heritage,” Ayala Museum director
Maritoni Ortigas said.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
15
Bulletin Board
Globe, Every Nation Leadership
Institute launch LIFE SIM
Globe and Every Nation Leadership Institute recently launched
the new LIFE SIM, a customized SIM card made for all members
of Every Nation.
The LIFE prepaid SIM, which stands for Leadership, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence, makes it
easy and affordable for members of Every Nation to communicate with one another.
Using LIFE SIM, members of Every Nation enjoy a special SMS rate of 75 centavos for LIFE
SIM to LIFE SIM texts and 10 centavos per second when calling other LIFE SIM users.
The new SIM was distributed during the Every Nation Campus Ministries’ Campus Harvest
Manila 2008 conference on May 22–24 at the Philippine Sports Arena, where thousands
of young members of Every Nation gathered for their biennial conference. The event was
sponsored by Globe.
The event also featured games and raffles, as well as a Battle of the Youth Bands, for which
Globe’s National-International Sales head Raya Roa and segment business managers Ethan
Koe Sanchez and Cris Garcia served as judges.
Stars Come Out To Play in
Timezone’s Celebrity Open 2008
Members of the white team are all smiles as they accept the first-runner-up award at Timezone’s Celebrity
Open. (From left) Luigi Guerrero and Gelli Victor, event hosts; Lelet Volfango, LAIP business development and
marketing manager; Raffy Prats Jr., LAIP president; Karla Estrada, Arlene Muhlach, Luis Alandy, Ricky Davao,
and Ramon Christopher, members of the white team; and Ronald Lucas, LAIP operations manager
Local celebrities recently trooped to the TriNoma Mall Activity Center
to take part in the fifth Celebrity Open, Timezone’s much-awaited
event of the year. Grouped into 11 teams, the stars battled for the top
prizes in a number of popular Timezone games, including Air Hockey,
Slam n’ Jam, Fast and the Furious SuperBikes, Ford Racing, Deal or No
Deal, and SuperTrivia.
Bagging the overall champion title was the Brown Team composed of Jake Roxas, Andrew
Wolfe, Derek Ramsey, Matteo Gudicelli, Dawn Balagot, and Einar Ingebrigtsen. Meanwhile,
the Green Team composed of Rica Peralejo, Dianne Medina, Rodjun Cruz, Say Alonzo, Rafael
Rosel, and Ping Medina won the best cheer prize for their winning display of camaraderie
and teamwork.
Raphael Martinez from the Black Team won the Best Slam n’ Jam Player award for his skills
in shooting hoops. Winning the Best Air Hockey Player title was Jake Roxas from the Brown
Team who showed his talent for hitting and repelling hockey pucks. Displaying balance and
control as he jetted past his opponents in the SuperBikes game was Einar Ingebrigtsen of
the Brown Team who brought home the Best SuperBikes Player award.
Other winners include Ramon Christopher from the White Team who emerged as the Best
Ford Racing Player; Eda Nolan from the Red Team who won the Deal or No Deal best player
award; and Jeanette Tuason of the Violet Team who won the Best SuperTrivia Player award.
There to present the awards were Timezone president and general manager Raffy Prats Jr.,
Timezone business development and marketing manager Lelet Volfango, and Timezone
operations manager Ronald Lucas.
EVENTS@AYALA MUSEUM
Kisame: Visions of Heaven on Earth
Ongoing until July 20
Ground-Floor Gallery
EVENTS@FILIPINAS HERITAGE LIBRARY
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
Juan Luna: Selected Paintings from the
Bank of Philippine Islands Collection
Until August 31
Third-Floor Gallery
Conversations with Ambeth Ocampo
July 19, 11:00 a.m.
Third-Floor Gallery
Museum in a box at La Consolacion
College, Bacolod
July 3–August 3
For more information, please call 7577117 to
21 or visit www.ayalamuseum.org
July and August
Digital Photography for Point-and-Shoot Camera Users
July 12
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Digital 101: Photography and the Computer
July 26, August 2 and 9
9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Photo trip: One afternoon in Binondo/Chinatown
August 23
12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Primer on Lighting
August 30
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
All workshops will be held at the Filipinas Heritage Library,
Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City (across The
Peninsula Manila). For more details, please call 8921801 or
email cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org
EDITORIAL BOARD
Publisher Victoria Garchitorena
Editor-in-Chief Maritoni Ortigas
Editorial Consultants Emi de Lara, Jones Campos
Managing Editor Alex Gregorio
Deputy Managing Editor Paul de Guzman
Assistant Editor Janella Cacdac-Siena
Graphic Designer Izza Lambino
Advertising Manager Ciela Cayton
Advertising Assistant Jennifer Bascoguin
Correspondents
Ayala Aviation Felipe Villanueva
Ayala Business Club Carole Guamen
Ayala Corporation Janella Cacdac-Siena
Ayala Foundation, Inc. Paul de Guzman
Ayala Land, Inc. Zarah Gulapa
Ayala Property Management Corp. Christine Lim-Siruelo
Ayala Systems Technology, Inc. Genesis Bautista
Bank of the Philippine Islands Reena Dungca
Globe Telecom Marigold Endriga
Honda Cars Makati, Inc. Monina Macavinta
HRMall, Inc. Gabby Mejia
Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. Fred Blancas
Isuzu Automotive Dealership, Inc. Monette Gaela
Manila Water Company Carla May Beriña-Kim
Timezone Ana Cardenas-Benitez
Contributing Photographers Aris Estrada Jr, Jem Villarin,
Jimmy Villegas and Emi de Lara
Editorial Office
Filipinas Heritage Library
Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle
Makati City 1224, Philippines
Telephone (632) 892-1801 local 14
Facsimile (632) 892-1810
Email AyalaNow@filipinaslibrary.org.ph
URL www.ayala.com.ph/ayalanow